I spend about 80% of my time trying to figure out ways to make yummy food healthier.  This recipe saves me all the trouble (and the calories).  Packed full of flavor, fun and easy to assemble, and just darn pretty.  Original credit goes to the Taste of Home website (see link here). Their website is awesome, check it out! though we’ve added a few ingredients to the mix (Sriracha.  Never forget Sriracha).

What you’ll need:

Marinaded Veggies:

• 1/2 cup white vinegar
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 1/8 teaspoon salt
• 2 medium carrots, julienned
• 1/2 medium onion, cut into thin slices

Meat Filling:

• 1-1 1/3 pound ground pork
• 1 tablespoon minced fresh gingerroot
• 1 garlic clove, minced
• 2 tablespoons reduced-sodium soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon mirin (sweet rice wine)
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon pepper
• 1 teaspoon fish sauce, optional

Accoutrements:

• 8 Bibb lettuce leaves
• 1/2 English cucumber, finely chopped
• 3 green onions, chopped
• 1/2 cup each coarsely chopped fresh basil, cilantro and mint
• 1 jalapeno pepper, seeded and finely chopped
• 1/4 cup salted peanuts, chopped
• Hoisin sauce
• Sriracha Sauce
• Lime wedges

Cooking Supplies:

• lots of small glass bowls
• cutting board
• stellar knife skills
• large skillet

Yields 8-10 Lettuce Wraps (comfortably serves four people)

Directions:

1).  In a bowl, mix vinegar, sugar and salt until blended. Stir in carrots and onion; let stand for 1/2 hour.  Pro Tip:  Chop up all your other veggies while you watch this soak in, if you’re slow like me this will take you the full 30 minutes.

2). In a large skillet, cook pork, ginger and garlic over medium heat 6-8 minutes or until pork is no longer pink, breaking up pork into crumbles; drain if needed. Stir in soy sauce, mirin, salt, pepper and, fish sauce (optional but I highly recommend the fish sauce!).

3). Serve:  Place pork mixture in lettuce leaves; top with cucumber, green onions, carrot mixture and herbs. Sprinkle with jalapeno and peanuts; drizzle with hoisin sauce and Sriracha. Squeeze lime juice over tops. Fold lettuce over filling. EAT UP!  But take an Insta pic first ;).